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An Introduction to Criminology - CED00153C

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  • Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
  • Module co-ordinator: Ms. Gemma Gibson
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module summary

Criminology is the critical study of the crime and the criminal justice system. Have you ever wondered why people commit crime? How crime is defined? Or whether we, as a society, should take a different approach to crime? If so, this module is for you. Through a series of themed workshops focusing on topics such as politics, media, biology, psychology, age, class, race and gender this module will provide an introduction to some key critical theories and perspectives on criminality.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

The module aims to introduce students to the subject of criminology, tracing some of the major themes and key concepts within the discipline starting from the premise of the ‘born criminal’ to more modern approaches to identifying what makes criminals commit crime. Each week will examine different concepts such as the nature/nurture debate, arguing from the biological approach to social and environmental factors such as criminal subcultures, poverty, and early childhood influences. Each topic will interlink, giving students a good grounding in how theories crossover and connect with current debates such as prisons and prisoners and to what extent the media play in influencing the public’s perception of prisons and punishment. There will be a review of early punishment and how the Enlightenment period changed the way people viewed punishment with the emergence of what we know today as the modern Criminal Justice System. This will cover the changes in policing and the court system, but also how society views rehabilitation.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the key areas of criminology
  • Understand core criminology themes and key concepts within the discipline, and be able to identify the links between them.
  • Think critically about crime and the research skills needed to search and collate information
  • Think critically about crime and assumptions regarding crime statistics, media reports etc.
  • Use writing skills appropriate to the social sciences.
  • Understand how crime is measured, represented, controlled, and the distribution of injustices.
  • Understand political and social contexts that shape definitions of crime and justice
  • Tackle challenging questions such as ‘what is crime?’, ‘who are the criminals?’, and ‘who has the power to define right and wrong?’

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
2000 word essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
2000 word essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted.

The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.

Indicative reading

  • Carrabine, E., Iganski, P., Lee, M., Plummer, K and South, N. (2008). Criminology: A Sociological Introduction 2nd Edition. Routledge
  • Hale, C., Hayward, K., Wahidin, A. and Wincup, E. (2013). Criminology 3rd Edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Maguire, M., Morgan, R. and Reiner, R. (2012). The Oxford Handbook of Criminology 5th Edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  • Muncie, J. and Mclaughlin, E. (eds) (2013). The Sage Dictionary of Criminology 3rd Edition. London:Sage
  • Newburn T. (2013). Criminology 2nd Edition.Cullompton: Willan.
  • Walklate, S. (2011).  Criminology: The Basics 2nd Edition. London: Routledge.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.